Ice-cube tray



April 8, 1947. l H. R. THARP u y 2,418,530

ICE-CUBE TRAY Filed Oct. 3, 1945 fIEi-A :inventor :flor-mel'4 mar/o.

Patented Apr. 8, 1947 ICE-CUBE TRAY l' Homer R- Thera` San Antonio, Tex. Application october s, 1945, serial No. nega-r,y

3 Claims.

This invention relates to an ice-cube tray.

An objectof the invention is the provision f a novel and patentable ice-cube tray, whereby the ice cubes can be quickly removed when desired.

Another object of the invention is the novel (Cl. (i2-108.5)

construction of a tray that has` a compartment between the-cup section and the bottom section,

as well as a novel mouth structure.

A still further object of the invention is the construction of a tray having a mouth over which hangs the handle, and which handle, together with another portion of the tray, performs-substantially the function of a funnel when the operator fills the compartment of the tray for releasing the ice cubes.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

. 2 i the fingers vfrom being injuredwh'ile portions thereof are gripping the handle 5. 'Ihe` same is true whether the tray is being placed in the refrigerator or `being removedV therefrom'.`

This tray can be formedinf any suitable manner as to producing a unitary structure, for `the `tray 'might be madesubstantially in one piece, cr the cup Ysection and bottom section can beemade separately and suitably fastened-to- Figure 1 is an inverted perspective view of the Y ice-cube tray, partly shown in section.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view.

Referring to the drawings, in which the preferred embodiment of my invention is shown, the tray comprises a cup section I and a bottom section 2. These sections are integral, and are spaced apart, whereby a compartment 3 is formed for receiving preferably hydrant water when the ice cubes are to be removed.

At one end of the tray is formed a wide mouth 4, which extends the width of the tray. The anged handle 5 overhangs this mouth, and is out of the way, so to speak, as it is not outwardly projecting from the tray. The handle is slightly curved inwardly, affording a better grip for the operators hand, and also possesses another advantage hereinafter specified. The bottom section 2 is slightly curved inwardly at 6, forming not only a guard flange for preventing the operators iingers from being injured, but it also constitutes part of a funnel, of which the inwardly bent handle 5 is apart. Therefore, when the cubes are to be removed from the cups, the operator can pour water easily into the mouth, to cause the Water to ow into the compartment 3, around the inner walls of the cups. The cup section I is on an incline at 1, Fig. 2, which.

facilitates the directingof the water placed in the mouth into the compartment 3. f When the tray is in its normal position within a refrigerator, the operator places his hand in the mouth sufliciently to have the ngers engage the handle 5. The mouth gives ample room for this operation, and the guard flange 6 prevents sections.

gether, as b ywelding, to make structuragas shown.

While I` have described the. preferred,embodi-` ment of my invention and illustrated the same in' the accompanying drawings, certain minor changes or alterations may appear to one skilled in the art to which this invention relates dur` the scope of the appended claims. Y What `I claim is:

changes or alterationsas shall fairly fall'twithin 1. In an ice-cube tray, the combination of a cup section, a bottom section integral with said cup section, said bottom section being provided with a mouth, and an inwardly'and downwardly extending 'handle overhanging `said mouthv an projecting from one end of said tray.

2. In an ice-cube tray,the combination of a cup section, a bottom section integral with said clip, section, said bottom section being provided with a transversely extending mouth at one end. and a flanged handle extending from one endof said tray andoverhanging said mouth, whereby said anged handle constitutes part of a-funnel when filling said tray. i

3. In an ice-cube tray, the combination of a cup section, a bottom section integral with said cup section, said tray provided with a trans# versely extending mouth at one end, said cup section being radically beveled at said mouth, said cup section provided with an elongated inwardly extending handle overhanging part of saidmouth, said bottom section having the edge of said mouth extending inwardly, and said handie and inwardly extending edge constituting a funnel `for facilitating the placing of liquid in said mouth and between the cup and bottom HOMER R. THARP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the i file of this patent:

Newman Feb. 7, 1933 the tray a' unitary 

